Shipping and carry-out carton



June 10, 1952 R. E. WOLFE 2,599,800

SHIPPING AND CARRY OUT CARTON Filed March 4, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN V EN TOR.

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r; pA/frs June 10, 1952 R. E. WOLFE SHIPPING AND CARRY OUT CARTON 2 Sl-lEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 4, 1949 INVENTOR RaymvuJtIflIaI/z'z ATIOP/VHG Patented June 10, 1952 SHIPPING AND CARRY-OUT CARTON Raymond E. Wolfe, Beaver, Pa., assignor to The Fairfield Paper and Container Company, Ba1timore, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 4, 1949, Serial No. 79,594

My invention relates to a shipping and carryout carton. It has to do, more particularly, with a carton which is particularly useful for shipping bottled goods, for example, to a dealer and which then provides convenient means for the customer to carry away the goods.

This invention relates to that type of carton which is formed of a single piece of cardboard, paper board, strawboard or similar material and which is so slit and scored that it can be folded into asubstantially rectangular carton which is provided with partitions for spacing and protecting bottles or other articles to be disposed there in. The upper portion of this type of carton is so formed that closure means is provided for shipping purposes, this closure means being adjustable to provide handles, when desired, for carryme: the carton.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a carton of the type indicated which is provided with upstanding partitions arranged on its bottom which are securely locked in proper relationship to each other so that they will be properly located at all times relative to each other toreceive the articles, such as bottles, in the pockets or compartments provided by such properly located partitions, thereby greatly simplifying the packing of such carton with the articles to be shipped therein.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a carton of the type indicated which is of such a nature that not only the bottom i'sprovided with the upstanding partitions of the type indicated above but also the top end or closure means is provided with depending partitions aligning with the upstanding lower partitions, the upper ends of the lower partitions contacting with the lower ends of the upper partitions when the carton is in shipping condition to give the carton increased strength.

Various other objects will be apparent.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings Wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank of a single piece of paperboard or the like properly scored and slit to form the carton of my invention.

Figure 2' is an enlarged plan view of one of the bottom flaps which is provided with special slots which cooperate with looking flaps that cooperate therewith to lock the bottom partition members ini'upstanding position.

- Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the firststep in the operation of folding a. blank to form the invention.

2 Claims. (Cl. 229--39) Figure 4 is a perspective view looking into the interior of the carton towards the bottom and showing how the bottom flaps are folded upwardlyinto the carton to form the partitions which are locked in place.

Figure'5 is a perspective View showing the carton substantially completely folded and closed for shipping purposes.

Figure 6 is a perspective View, partly broken away, illustrating the top portion of the carton so folded as to provide theupstanding handle by means of which the carton may be carried.

With reference to the drawings, in Figure l I have illustrated a blank I formed of a single piece of. paperboard or similar material. This blank is scored and cut in the manner indicated.

The scoring. and cutting provides a sidewall 2, an end wall 3, a sidewall 4 and an end wall 5 which are joined to each other along the vertical fold lines 6. The free edge of sidewall 2 carries an adhesive strip 1 adapted to be attached to the free edge of the end wall 5 when the blank is properly folded.

Extending completely across the blank is a fold line 8 and above this line are formed the top flaps consisting of a flap 20!. connected to sidewall 2, a pairof tabs 30. connected to side. wa1l.3, a flap 4a connected. to sidewall 4, and a pair of tabs 5a connectedto end wall 5, all of these flaps being of the same height. A score line 9 extends completely across all of the top flaps intermediate their inner ends and their free outer ends. This score line divides the flap 2a into an outer section 20a :and'aninner section 200a, the pair of tabs 3a into an outer section 30a-and an inner section 300a, the flap 4a into an outer section 40a and an inner section 400a, and the pair of tabs :gointo an outer section 5000 and an inne'r'section Each of the flaps 2a and 4a and, more specifically, the inner sections 200a and 400a thereof are provided with a pair of slits l 0 which extend substantially from the fold line 8 to the score line 9 but terminate short thereof; Each of these slits is of substantially C-shape or reverse C-shape to provide slots with flexible edges for receiving the sections 30a and a of the tabs 3a and 521. These slots are of a length to tightly receive the tab sections and are spaced from the respective edges of the flaps inwhich they are formed a distance substantially equal to the length of the inner sections of the tabs, as will be apparent later. The outer sections 20a and 40a of the flaps 2a and 4a are provided with finger-receivin openings I l which extend parallel to their outer edges. V

Extending completely acrossthe lower portion of the blank is a fold line I2 and below this line are formed the bottom flaps consisting of a flap 2b connected to sidewall 2, a flap 3b connected to sidewall 3, a flap 412 connected to sidewall 4, and a flap b connected to sidewall 5, all of these flaps being of the same extent outwardly. A score line I3 extends completely across all of the bottom flaps intermediate their inner ends and their free outer ends. This score line divides the flaps 21) into an outer section b and an inner section 200b, the flap 3b into an outer section b and an inner section 300b, the flap 4b into an outer section b and an inner section 400b, and the flap 51) into an outer section 501) and an inner section 5001).

Each of the flaps 2b and 4b is provided with a pair of slots I4 each of which is adapted to receive either the outer section 301) of flap 3b or the outer section b of flap 51). As shown best in Figure 2, each slot I4 is of special design. Each slot extends from a point I5 spaced slightly from the outer end of the flapsubstantially to the fold line I2. The length of these slots corresponds substantially to the width of.the' flaps 3b and 5b. Each slot is spaced from the adjacent edge of the flap in which it is formed a distance equal to the width of the inner section. 3130b of flap 322 or the inner section 50Gb of flap 51) so that when the carton is properly folded, as will later appear, the outer sections 20b and 5027 can be tucked into the proper slots I4.

Each of the slots I4 is also mainly of C-shape or reverse C-shape so that one edge is flexible. The flexible edge is provided with a notch I6 and it will be noted that the notches of the adjacent slots in each flap extend towards each other, it being evident that the notches are formed in the innermost edges of the slots. Each notch I6 is provided with a beveled lower edge IT, a straight inner edge I8 and a straight upper edge I9 at right angles to the edge I8 and lying in alignment with the score line I3. A score line I4a'parallels the slot I4 and extends from notch edge I9 to the curved end of the slot. This provides a small'fiexible tab Mb. The notches II, as will later appear, will facilitate insertion of the outer sections 301) and 50b of the flaps 3b and'5binto the proper slots I4.

Midway between its .side' edges, each of the flaps 3b and 5b has a notch 20 formed initsout'er edge. Each of thesenotch'es; as will later appear, will cooperate with 'the'uncut portions Iiof'flaps 2b and 4b to lock the outer sections 20'band40'b of these flaps in-position to serve? as. partitions inthecarton." s

It will be noted best from 'Figureil'th'at the flaps 2a and 4a have rounded corners tofacilitate insertion into the top of the carton and toigive a pleasant appearing handle. Also, all of the tabs 3a and 5a have their outer corners beveled to facilitate tucking into the carton. Similarly, all of theflaps on the lower part of the carton have their corners beveled to facilitate insertion. into the bottom portion of the carton;

In folding the blank into the carton, the first step is, as shown in Figure 3, to fold it along the vertical fold lines 6 and to attach the adhesive strip 1 to the outer vertical edge of end Wall 5. The next step is illustrated in Figure 4 where the lower flaps are indicated as being folded up along and into the body of the carton to produce the bottom. In doing this, the flaps 2b and 4b are first bent, inwardly and along line I2 andthen the outer .sectionsjZIIb and 40b thereof are bent upwardlyalong the-line I3 so that the sections 201) and 40b will be back-toback and vertically disposed within the body of the carton, extending from the end wall 3 to the end wall 5 and having their top edges in alignment, as shown best in Figures 5 and 6. Next, the locking flaps 3b and 5b are folded inwardly along line I2 and at the same time the outer sections 3% and 50b thereof are bent upwardly along line I3. The outer end of section 30!) is inserted in the aligning slot formed in the bottom portions of the carton produced by the sections- 2001: and 4001;, now horizontally disposed, this particular slot being formed by the portion of the right-hand slot I4 (Figure 1) formed in section 2001) and the portion of the left-hand slot I4 formed in section 40%. The section 3% will be guided into vertical position by the aligning portions of the two slots referred to which are formed in the now vertically disposed sections 20b and 40b, it being apparent that these sections and section 30b are now at right angles to each other. In inserting the end of section .3012 into the bottom slot, the small tabs M1) at the edge of each of the slots I4 will bend inwardly and upwardly, facilitating the insertion, this being important since section 301) will at this time be at an angle relative to the bottom sections 2011b and 40017. The notch I6 provides sumcient room for the edge of the section 3012 at the inner end of notch 20 therein to move at an angle into the vertical portion of the slot in the upstanding partition sections 2012 and 40b. This notch 20 when section 3% reaches its final upstanding position will straddle the uncut portions I5 of sections 201) and 40b now located at the upper edges thereof. Thus, the partition sections 20b and 40b will be locked in central position at the bottom of the carton by cooperating notch 20 and uncut portions I5 of the adjacent end of the partition sections and the upstanding section 301) will be locked in position due to the fact that it fits in the upstanding slot. The flap 5b will be folded inwardly and its outer section 50b will be inserted upwardly into the bottom and partition slot in exactly the same manner, it being understood that the slot in this instance is provided by the left-hand slot I4 (Figure 1) formed in flap 2b and the right-hand slot I4 formed in flap 4b. The notch 20 of flap section 50b will cooperate with the uncut portions or tabs I5b at'the top of partition sections 2% and 40b at the adjacent end of the partition sections. Thus, the upstanding partitions at the bottom of the box are held in upstanding relationship and in proper relationship at right angles to each other.

In closing the upper end of the carton, for example after the articles, such as bottles, are disposed within the compartments formed by the upstanding partitions, the flaps 2a and 4a are bent inwardly along the bend line 8 and the sections 20a and 40a thereof are turned downwardly into the carton, being bent on the score line 9. As shown in Figure 5, the sections 20a and 40a will lie in contact with each other and will depend from the top of the container. Next, the two pairs of tabs 3a and 5a are swung in wardly on the bend line 8 and the outer portions thereof are bent downwardly along the score lines 9. The lower ends of these tabs are then passed downwardly through the slots I0 formed in the portions 200a and 400a of the flaps 2a and 4a, the slots serving to frictionally'engage the tabs and hold the portions 300a and 50011 thereof in contact with the upper surfaces of the sections 200a and 400a. It will be noted that the carton is now in condition fOr shipping. Furthermore, it will he noted that the carton will be reinforced by the fact that the lower ends of the handle section 20a and 40a, and of the tab sections 30a and 50a will contact, respectively, with the upper ends of the partitions 20b and 40b and with the partitions formed by the upstanding sections 30b and 5027. This will aid in preventing crushing of the contents of the carton when a number of cartons are piled upon each other for shipping and during shipping provides partitions extending the full height of the carton which will better protect the bottles.

When the carton is to be used as a carry-out carton, it is merely necessary to remove the tab sections from the slots l0, withdraw the handle portions 2a and 2b and fold them upwardly in the manner indicated in Figure 6. Then the tab sections are replaced in the slots [0 to lock the handle sections in upstanding position. It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a shipping and carry-out carton having many advantages some of which have been discussed specifically and others of which will be apparent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A carton of the type described having four walls, an end structure on the carton including a flap hinged to the edge of each wall, the flaps on each of the pairs of opposite walls being identical with each other but different from the flaps on the other pair of walls, each of the flaps being provided with an inner section hinged to the adjacent wall and an outer section hinged to the inner section, each of one pair of flaps being free of slots, each of the other pair of flaps being provided with a pair of slots extending substantially from the inner hinge line of the flap through both sections thereof to a point spaced from the outer edge of the flap to provide an unslotted portion at such edge, each of said slots being spaced from the side edge of the flap a distance equal to the width of the inner section of each of the other pair of flaps in a direction at right angles to the hinge connections thereof, and each of the first-named pair of flaps being provided with a notch at its outer edge substantially midway between its side edges, said slots forming tabs in both the inner and outer sections of said other pair of flaps, the tabs in the outer sections of said lastnamed flaps terminating short of the hinge line of said last-named outer section.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein said tabs in the outer sections are separated from the tabs in the inner sections by notches, each of said notches having a straight edge corresponding to the adjacent end of the tab in the inner section, a second edge at right angles thereto and an inclined edge at an angle to the second edge and corresponding to the adjacent end of the tab in said outer section.

RAYMOND E. WOLFE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,134,782 Walter Apr. 6, 1915 1,881,900 Oman et a1 Oct. 11, 1932 1,928,660 Boeye Oct. 3, 1933 2,006,725 Unsinger July 2, 1935 2,450,941 Crane Oct. 12, 1948 2,462,676 Riley et al. Feb. 22, 1949 

